TPD providing holiday box drop-off locations to keep criminals away from homes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — You've probably seen videos of thieves getting caught on home cameras, taking presents off of porches.

The Tallahassee Police Department has a holiday warning. They say you might unknowingly be attracting thieves to your home.

All of those cardboard boxes you throw to the curb for trash pickup could be a billboard advertising everything inside your home.

That's why TPD is setting up places for you to get rid of those boxes.

Between Tuesday and Jan. 3, you can get rid of those gift boxes at Jack McLean Park, San Luis Mission Park, Tom Brown, and Myers Park.

TPD says this time of year is when home break-ins spike.

Apartment complexes usually see the most because a criminal can get multiple homes at once.

TPD Officer Damon Miller Jr. says that even if your home is protected by something like a surveillance camera, you still shouldn't put your guard down.

"Sometimes criminals just forget about it. Someone will call us while they're watching the person inside their house and giving us specific detail about what their wearing, what they're doing, what side of the house they're on," said Miller. "That lets law enforcement know what information they need."

Another thing TPD says you need to do is make sure to take your address off of whatever you're trashing.

You can also get rid of your live-cut Christmas trees at any of the drop-off locations.

The city will cut them up to use as mulch.